MS Walk Midland raises more than $40,000

Published 3:00 am, Sunday, May 1, 2011

Six months after graduating from the University of Michigan, Jennifer Digmann was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that affects the body’s central nervous system.

On Saturday, Digmann, who uses a scooter to get around, attended the 15th annual “Walk MS Midland” with her husband Dan, who also has MS. The couple met in 2004 at a National MS Society program.

“It’s very empowering,” Jennifer Digmann said about Midland’s walk. “We fundraise and we walk because when this disease is cured, I want to know that we had a part in it all.”

The Digmanns of Mount Pleasant were among hundreds who participated in the three-mile walk — which also brought in more than $40,000 to help support awareness programs and funding for MS research.

Paul and Lori Brown of Midland walked together in honor of Lori’s sister, who died in 2007 from complications connected to MS. Paul Brown was diagnosed with MS in 2009.

“A walk like this is good for folks who are dealing with MS,” Paul Brown said. “It really gives us a chance to get out and interact with others who are experiencing some of the same issues.”

The walk began at Central Middle School and looped through downtown. Back at the school upon their return, walkers were greeted with orange ribbons to tie to a makeshift tree.

“Everything is just going great,” said Helen Myers, the Midland event task force chairperson and captain of Team Dow. “We’re really excited. We had a very beautiful day, too.”

Myers was diagnosed with MS in 2004 and started Team Dow in 2007. To date, their team has raised more than $115,000.

New this year was the Best Dressed Dog contest. This year’s winner was Aboo, a 5-year-old Chihuahua dressed as a sailor.

Aboo’s proud owner said she attends MS walks and bike rides throughout Michigan in support of family and friends living with MS.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” said Susan Krotzer of Midland. “It’s community.”